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| United States Patent |
5,734,748
|
|
Amano
|
March 31, 1998
|
Character pattern generation apparatus and method
Abstract
A character pattern generation apparatus generates a character pattern on
the basis of font data in a stroke format. A data generation unit
generates character data, character element data, or stroke data on the
basis of the font data in the stroke format. A storage unit stores the
character data, character element data, or stroke data generated by the
data generation unit. A discrimination unit discriminates whether
character data, character element data, or stroke data corresponding to a
character pattern to be generated is stored in the storage unit. When the
discrimination unit determines that character data, character element
data, or stroke data corresponding to the character pattern to be
generated is stored in the storage unit, a character pattern generation
unit generates the character pattern on the basis of the character data,
character element data, or stroke data stored in the storage unit.
| Inventors:
|
Amano; Hiroyuki (Yokohama, JP)
|
| Assignee:
|
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (JP)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
362986 |
| Filed:
|
December 23, 1994 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Dec 30, 1993[JP] | 5-354303 |
| Dec 14, 1994[JP] | 6-310549 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
382/181; 345/467; 382/185; 382/300 |
| Intern'l Class: |
G06K 009/00; G06K 009/54; G06F 015/00 |
| Field of Search: |
395/150,151
382/181,185,187,300
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| 5016001 | May., 1991 | Minagawa et al. | 395/142.
|
| 5189730 | Feb., 1993 | Kajimoto | 395/151.
|
| 5288156 | Feb., 1994 | Hori et al. | 395/102.
|
| 5295238 | Mar., 1994 | Dickson | 395/150.
|
| 5355448 | Oct., 1994 | Uchino et al. | 395/150.
|
| 5355449 | Oct., 1994 | Lung et al. | 395/150.
|
| 5469513 | Nov., 1995 | Kurumida | 395/141.
|
| 5473743 | Dec., 1995 | Watanabe | 395/151.
|
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 0357383 | Mar., 1990 | EP | .
|
| 0398681 | Nov., 1990 | EP | .
|
| 0469918 | Feb., 1992 | EP | .
|
| 2221780 | Feb., 1990 | GB | .
|
Primary Examiner: Johns; Andrew
Assistant Examiner: Davis; Monica S.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A character pattern generation apparatus for generating a character
pattern on the basis of font data in a stroke format, comprising:
data generation means for generating character data, character element
data, and stroke data on the basis of the font data in the stroke format;
storage means for storing the character data, character element data, and
stroke data generated by said data generation means;
discrimination means for (1) discriminating whether character data
corresponding to a character pattern to be generated is stored in said
storage means, (2) if the character data is not stored, discriminating
whether character element data corresponding to the character pattern is
stored in said storage means, and (3) if the character element data is not
stored, discriminating whether stroke data corresponding to the character
pattern is stored in said storage means; and
character pattern drawing means for drawing the character pattern on the
basis of the character data, character element data, or stroke data stored
in said storage means in response to a discrimination by said
discrimination means.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stroke data, character
element data, or character data is data in a bit map format.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stroke data, character
element data, or character data is control point information in an outline
format converted from the font data in the stroke format.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stroke data, character
element data, or character data is outline coordinate data generated from
control point information.
5. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising output means for
outputting the character pattern drawn by said character pattern drawing
means.
6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said output means comprises a
printer.
7. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said output means comprises a
display.
8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the font data in the stroke
format includes core line information and thickness information.
9. A character pattern generation method of generating a character pattern
on the basis of font data in a stroke format, comprising the steps of:
generating character data, character element data, and stroke data on the
basis of the font data in the stroke format;
storing the character data, character element data, and stroke data
generated in said data generation step;
discriminating whether (1) character data corresponding to a character
pattern to be generated is stored in said storing step, (2) if the
character data is not stored, discriminating whether character element
data corresponding to the character pattern is stored in said storage
means, and (3) if the character element data is not stored, discriminating
whether stroke data corresponding to the character pattern is stored in
said storage means; and
drawing the character pattern on the basis of the character data, character
element data, or stroke data stored in said storage step in response to a
discrimination by said discriminating step.
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the stroke data, character
element data, or character data is data in a bit map format.
11. A method according to claim 9, wherein the stroke data, character
element data, or character data is control point information in an outline
format converted from the font data in the stroke format.
12. A method according to claim 9, wherein the stroke data, character
element data, or character data is outline coordinate data generated from
control point information.
13. A method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of
outputting the character pattern drawn in said character pattern drawing
step.
14. A method according to claim 13, wherein said output step outputs the
character pattern using a printer.
15. A method according to claim 13, wherein said output step outputs the
character pattern using a display.
16. A method according to claim 9, wherein said discrimination step
discriminates if said storage step stores character data, discriminates if
said storage step stores character element data when it is determined that
the character data is not stored, and discriminates if said storage step
stores stroke data when it is determined that the character element data
is not stored.
17. A method according to claim 9, wherein said character pattern
generation step generates the character pattern on the basis of the
character element data, stroke data, or font data in the stroke format
when said storage step does not store character data, generates the
character pattern on the basis of the stroke data or font data in the
stroke format when said storage step does not store character element
data, and generates the character pattern on the basis of the font data in
the stroke format when said storage step does not store stroke data.
18. A method according to claim 9, wherein the font data in the stroke
format includes core line information and thickness information.
19. A memory medium storing program instructions for performing a character
pattern generation method of generating a character pattern on the basis
of font data in a stroke format, comprising the steps of:
generating character data, character element data, and stroke data on the
basis of the font data in the stroke format;
storing the character data, character element data, and stroke data
generated in said data generation step;
discriminating whether (1) character data corresponding to a character
pattern to be generated is stored in said storing step, (2) if the
character data is not stored, discriminating whether character element
data corresponding to the character pattern is stored in said storage
means, and (3) if the character element data is not stored, discriminating
whether stroke data corresponding to the character pattern is stored in
said storage means; and
drawing the character pattern on the basis of the character data, character
element data, or stroke data stored in said storage step in response to a
discrimination by said discriminating step.
20. A memory medium according to claim 19, wherein the stroke data,
character element data, or character data is data in a bit map format.
21. A memory medium according to claim 19, wherein the stroke data,
character element data, or character data is control point information in
an outline format converted from the font data in the stroke format.
22. A memory medium according to claim 19, wherein the stroke data,
character element data, or character data is outline coordinate data
generated from control point information.
23. A memory medium according to claim 19, further comprising the step of
outputting the character pattern drawn in said character pattern drawing
step.
24. A memory medium according to claim 23, wherein said output step outputs
the character pattern using a printer.
25. A memory medium according to claim 23, wherein said output step outputs
the character pattern using a display.
26. A memory medium according to claim 19, wherein said discrimination step
discriminates if said storage step stores character data, discriminates if
said storage step stores character element data when it is determined that
the character data is not stored, and discriminates if said storage step
stores stroke data when it is determined that the character element data
is not stored.
27. A memory medium according to claim 19, wherein said character pattern
generation step generates the character pattern on the basis of the
character element data, stroke data, or font data in the stroke format
when said storage step does not store character data, generates the
character pattern on the basis of the stroke data or font data in the
stroke format when said storage step does not store character element
data, and generates the character pattern on the basis of the font data in
the stroke format when said storage step does not store stroke data.
28. A memory medium according to claim 19, wherein the font data in the
stroke format includes core line information and thickness information.
29. A character pattern generation apparatus comprising:
a means for performing a first discrimination for discriminating whether
character data corresponding to a character pattern to be generated is
stored in a memory means;
a means for performing a second discrimination for discriminating whether
character element data corresponding to a character element of the
character pattern to be generated is stored in the memory means if said
means for performing a first discrimination discriminates that the
character data is not stored;
a means for performing a third discrimination for discriminating whether
stroke data corresponding to a stroke of a character element of the
character pattern to be generated is stored in the memory means if said
means for performing a second discrimination discriminates that the
character element data is not stored;
a means for performing a first control function for, if said means for
performing a second discrimination discriminates that the character
element data is stored in the memory means, generating character data on
the basis of the stored character element data and causing the memory
means to store the generated character data;
a means for performing a second control function for, if said means for
performing a third discrimination discriminates that the stroke data is
not stored in the memory means, generating stroke data on the basis of
stroke font data and causing the memory means to store the generated
stroke data, and generating character element data on the basis of the
generated stroke data and causing the memory means to store the generated
character element data, and generating character data on the basis of the
generated character element data and causing the memory means to store the
generated character data; and
a means for performing a third control function for, if said means for
performing a third discrimination discriminates that the stroke data is
stored in the memory means, generating character element data on the basis
of the stored stroke data and causing the memory means to store the
generated character element data, and generating character data on the
basis of the generated character element data and causing the memory means
to store the generated character data.
30. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said means for performing a
second discrimination discriminates whether character element data
corresponding to all character elements of the character pattern to be
generated is stored in the memory means and wherein said means for
performing a third discrimination discriminates whether stroke data
corresponding to all strokes of a character element of the character
pattern to be generated is stored in the memory means.
31. A character pattern generation method comprising:
a first discrimination step for discriminating whether character data
corresponding to a character pattern to be generated is stored in a memory
means;
a second discrimination step for discriminating whether character element
data corresponding to a character element of the character pattern to be
generated is stored in the memory means if said first discrimination step
discriminates that the character data is not stored;
a third discrimination step for discriminating whether stroke data
corresponding to a stroke of a character element of the character pattern
to be generated is stored in the memory means if said second
discrimination step discriminates that the character element data is not
stored;
a first control step for, if said second discrimination step discriminates
that the character element data is stored in the memory means, generating
character data on the basis of the stored character element data and
causing the memory means to store the generated character data;
a second control step for, if said third discrimination step discriminates
that the stroke data is not stored in the memory means, generating stroke
data on the basis of stroke font data and causing the memory means to
store the generated stroke data, and generating character element data on
the basis of the generated stroke data and causing the memory means to
store the generated character element data, and generating character data
on the basis of the generated character element data and causing the
memory means to store the generated character data; and
a third control step for, if said third discrimination step discriminates
that the stroke data is stored in the memory means, generating character
element data on the basis of the stored stroke data and causing the memory
means to store the generated character element data, and generating
character data on the basis of the generated character element data and
causing the memory means to store the generated character data.
32. A method according to claim 31, wherein said second discrimination step
discriminates whether character element data corresponding to all
character elements of the character pattern to be generated is stored in
the memory means and wherein said third discrimination step discriminates
whether stroke data corresponding to all strokes of a character element of
the character pattern to be generated is stored in the memory means.
33. A memory medium storing program instructions for performing a character
pattern generation method comprising:
a first discrimination step for discriminating whether character data
corresponding to a character pattern to be generated is stored in a memory
means;
a second discrimination step for discriminating whether character element
data corresponding to a character element of the character pattern to be
generated is stored in the memory means if said first discrimination step
discriminates that the character data is not stored;
a third discrimination step for discriminating whether stroke data
corresponding to a stroke of a character element of the character pattern
to be generated is stored in the memory means if said second
discrimination step discriminates that the character element data is not
stored;
a first control step for, if said second discrimination step discriminates
that the character element data is stored in the memory means, generating
character data on the basis of the stored character element data and
causing the memory means to store the generated character data;
a second control step for, if said third discrimination step discriminates
that the stroke data is not stored in the memory means, generating stroke
data on the basis of stroke font data and causing the memory means to
store the generated stroke data, and generating character element data on
the basis of the generated stroke data and causing the memory means to
store the generated character element data, and generating character data
on the basis of the generated character element data and causing the
memory means to store the generated character data; and
a third control step for, if said third discrimination step discriminates
that the stroke data is stored in the memory means, generating character
element data on the basis of the stored stroke data and causing the memory
means to store the generated character element data, and generating
character data on the basis of the generated character element data and
causing the memory means to store the generated character data.
34. A memory medium according to claim 33, wherein said second
discrimination step discriminates whether character element data
corresponding to all character elements of the character pattern to be
generated is stored in the memory means and wherein said third
discrimination step discriminates whether stroke data corresponding to all
strokes of a character element of the character pattern to be generated is
stored in the memory means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a character pattern generation apparatus
and method, which have a plurality of character pattern process resources
for generating a character pattern by analyzing input character
information.
2. Related Background Art
Conventionally, a character pattern generation process in a character
pattern generation apparatus of this type is achieved by outline
generation for obtaining an outline for one character by a calculation
from a control point. Currently, since a large number of different kinds
of type faces must be used, a huge amount of font data must be held to
perform character generation with this method, and it is of urgent
necessity to provide a data amount reduction method.
In order to prevent this problem, a stroke synthesis method which has data
in units of strokes or character elements, and generates a character by
synthesizing these data has been proposed. Since identical strokes or
character elements can be applied to a large number of kinds of
characters, the data amount can be reduced as compared to the
above-mentioned method.
Conventionally, in outline font pattern development using hardware, font
data, a hinting section, an interpolation section, a painting section, and
the like are prepared in correspondence with a predetermined method of an
apparatus, or an apparatus is designed in correspondence with font data, a
hinting section, an interpolation section, a painting section, and the
like, which are prepared in advance.
However, when a long document is to be created, identical stroke or
character element data must be read out in units of characters to generate
patterns, resulting in repetition of identical jobs.
Since an apparatus must be designed in correspondence with font data, a
hinting section, an interpolation section, a painting section, and the
like, which are prepared in advance, this results in much labor and an
increase in price.
Furthermore, when a large number of different kinds of type faces are to be
used, the amount of font data becomes huge, and a large memory capacity is
required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a
character pattern generation apparatus and method, in which data generated
in association with characters, character elements, and strokes with high
used frequencies are cached and preserved to prevent repetition of
identical jobs and to simplify a series of jobs upon generation of
character patterns, character pattern process resources such as hinting,
interpolation, painting, and the like are shared, and different character
pattern processes are performed in correspondence with character
information, thereby eliminating extra labor due to a difference between
specifications of font data and an apparatus.
A character pattern generation apparatus according to the present invention
comprises generation means for generating a stroke, character element, and
character pattern, discrimination means for discriminating whether or not
the stroke, character element, and character pattern generated by the
generation means are to be cached in a storage device, cache means for
caching the generated stroke, character element, and character pattern in
the storage device on the basis of a discrimination result of the
discrimination means, and read-out means for reading out the stroke,
character element, and character pattern cached in the storage device by
the cache means.
A character pattern generation apparatus according to the present invention
comprises information generation means for analyzing input character
information and generating a flag for selecting character pattern process
resources to be utilized to generate a character pattern, and character
pattern process means for generating a character pattern by selecting
different character pattern process resources on the basis of the flag
generated by the information generation means.
In the character pattern generation apparatus according to the present
invention, the character pattern process resources include a plurality of
font process means for processing character pattern generation in units of
strokes or outlines, a plurality of hinting means for performing
coordinate conversion for improving quality of a character by a method
determined by the flag, a plurality of interpolation means for generating
a curve based on a curve characteristic determined by the flag, and
generating an outline of a closed region, and a plurality of painting
means for generating a bit map by painting the closed region generated by
the method determined by the flag.
According to the present invention, the cache means caches generated
stroke, character element, and pattern data, and the cached stroke,
character element, and pattern data are synthesized to generate character
patterns, thereby remarkably decreasing the generation frequencies of
stroke, character element, and pattern data with high used frequencies,
and efficiently generating character patterns.
According to the present invention, the information generation means
analyzes input character information to generate a flag for selecting
character pattern process resources to be utilized for generating a
character pattern, and the character pattern process means selects
different character pattern process resources on the basis of the
generated flag to generate a character pattern, thus achieving different
character pattern processes using common character pattern process
resources which do not depend on input character information.
According to the present invention, a character pattern is generated by
selecting different character pattern process resources by the character
pattern process means based on the generated flag from a plurality of font
process means for processing character pattern generation in units of
strokes or outlines, a plurality of hinting means for performing
coordinate conversion for improving quality of a character by a method
determined by the flag, a plurality of interpolation means for generating
a curve based on a curve characteristic determined by the flag, and
generating an outline of a closed region, and a plurality of painting
means for generating a bit map by painting the closed region generated by
the method determined by the flag. Thus, different character pattern
processes can be achieved using common character pattern process resources
which do not depend on input character information.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent
from the following specification and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a character
pattern generation apparatus according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is comprised of FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B showing flow charts for
explaining a first character pattern generation process sequence in the
character pattern generation apparatus according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a conversion state from coordinate data to
outline information in the character pattern generation apparatus
according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a cache condition test process
sequence in the character pattern generation process shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of a cache condition test process
sequence in the character pattern generation process shown in FIG. 2;
FIGS. 6A to 6C are views showing the state of a cache buffer;
FIG. 7 is comprised of FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B showing flow charts for
explaining a second character pattern generation process sequence in the
character pattern generation apparatus according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is comprised of FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B showing flow charts for
explaining a third character pattern generation process sequence in the
character pattern generation apparatus according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is comprised of FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B showing flow charts for
explaining a fourth character pattern generation process sequence in the
character pattern generation apparatus according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a character
pattern generation apparatus according to the second embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 11 is a view for explaining the flag making process of a flag maker 20
shown in FIG. 10;
FIGS. 12A and 12B are views showing a character pattern generation method
in a character pattern generation apparatus of this type;
FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining the process operation of a hinting
section shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining the process operation of an
interpolation section shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 15 is a view for explaining an example of an interpolation method of
the interpolation section shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 16 is a view for explaining another example of an interpolation method
of the interpolation section shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing an example of an outline process sequence
using the interpolation section shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing an example of a painting process sequence
by the painting section shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing an example of a second character pattern
generation process sequence in the character pattern generation apparatus
according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing an example of the detailed sequence of the
painting process shown in FIG. 19;
FIGS. 21A and 21B are views for explaining a painting method in the
character pattern generation apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 22 is a view for explaining a painting method in the character pattern
generation apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing an example of another character pattern
generation sequence in the character pattern generation apparatus
according to the present invention;
FIG. 24 is a view showing another character pattern generation state in the
character pattern generation apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 25 is a table for explaining the correspondence between strokes and
character elements of character patterns in the character pattern
generation apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 26 is comprised of FIG. 26A and FIG. 26B showing flow charts for
explaining a fifth character pattern generation process sequence in the
character pattern generation apparatus according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 27 is comprised of FIG. 27A and FIG. 27B showing flow charts for
explaining a sixth character pattern generation process sequence in the
character pattern generation apparatus according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 28 is comprised of FIG. 28A and FIG. 28B showing flow charts for
explaining a seventh character pattern generation process sequence in the
character pattern generation apparatus according to the first embodiment
of the present invention; and
FIG. 29 is a flow chart for explaining an eighth character pattern
generation process sequence in the character pattern generation apparatus
according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
›First Embodiment!
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a character
pattern generation apparatus according to the first embodiment of the
present invention. The character pattern generation apparatus of this
embodiment is designed to be applicable to Japanese wordprocessors, work
stations, computer systems, printers, display apparatuses, and the like.
Referring to FIG. 1, a central processing unit (CPU) 1 performs control of
the entire apparatus and calculation processes. A random-access memory
(RAM) 2 is an area on which programs and data are loaded and executed in
units of various processes. A read-only memory (ROM) 3 is a storage area
of system control programs, programs associated with the flow chart to be
described later, font data, and the like.
A keyboard controller (KBC) 4 receives data key-input from a keyboard (KB)
5, and transfers the received data to the CPU. A printer controller (PRTC)
6 controls a printer apparatus (PRT 7; a dot printer such as a laser beam
printer, an ink-jet printer, or the like). A display controller (CRTC) 8
controls a display apparatus (CRT) 9, and displays data sent from a disk
controller (DKC) 10 on the display apparatus 9.
The disk controller (DKC) 10 controls, e.g., data transfer. An external
storage device 11 such as a floppy disk device (FD) or a hard disk device
(HD) stores programs and data, and loads them onto the RAM 2 upon
execution of them as needed. A system bus 12 serves as a data transfer
path among the above-mentioned constituting elements.
In the character pattern generation apparatus with the above-mentioned
arrangement, a cache control means (CPU 1) individually caches generated
stroke, character element, character pattern, or coordinate data in a
cache buffer area of a storage device (RAM 2) (a detailed sequence will be
described later with reference to flow charts shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B),
and a character pattern is generated by synthesizing patterns based on the
cached stroke, character element, character pattern, or coordinate data,
thereby remarkably decreasing the generation frequencies of stroke,
character element, and pattern data with high use frequencies, and
efficiently generating character patterns.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show flow charts for explaining a first character pattern
generation process sequence in the character pattern generation apparatus
according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that (1)
to (27) indicate steps.
In step (1), it is checked by confirming a cache buffer based on ID data if
outline coordinate data of a retrieved object character to be developed
has already been cached as a character. Note that the outline coordinate
data is stored as X- and Y-coordinate values. If corresponding character
data is stored in the cache buffer, it is determined that the coordinate
data has already been cached, and the flow advances to step (2) to get the
outline coordinate data of the object character from the cache buffer.
Thereafter, the flow jumps to step (27).
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that corresponding
character data is not stored in the cache buffer, it is determined that
the coordinate data is not cached yet, and the flow advances to step (3)
to get data of the number of character elements constituting the character
and their types.
The flow advances to step (4) to check by confirming the cache buffer based
on ID data if outline coordinate data corresponding to an object character
element of the retrieved character elements has already been cached. At
this time, an object character element is selected from those constituting
a character in an order of making strokes in this embodiment. However, the
present invention is not limited to this order.
If corresponding character element data is stored in the cache buffer, it
is determined that the outline coordinate data has already been cached,
and the flow advances to step (5) to get the outline coordinate data of
the object character element from the cache buffer. Thereafter, the flow
jumps to step (23).
If it is determined in step (4) that corresponding character element data
is not stored in the cache buffer, it is determined that the outline
coordinate data is not cached yet, and the flow advances to step (6) to
get data of the number of strokes constituting the object character
element and their types.
The flow then advances to step (7) to check by confirming the cache buffer
based on ID data if outline coordinate data of an object stroke has
already been cached. At this time, an object stroke is selected from those
constituting the character element in an order of making strokes in this
embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this order.
If corresponding stroke data is stored in the cache buffer, it is
determined that the outline coordinate data has already been cached, and
the flow advances to step (8) to get outline coordinate data of the object
stroke from the cache buffer. Thereafter, the flow advances to step (19).
If it is determined in step (7) that corresponding stroke data is not
stored in the cache buffer, it is recognized that the outline coordinate
data is not cached yet, and the flow advances to step (9) to get outline
coordinate data of the object stroke. The flow advances to step (10), and
coordinate conversion of the got coordinate data (control point data) in a
stroke format upon enlargement/reduction of data is performed.
Since the coordinate data in the stroke format is information defined by
"core line"+"thickness", it is converted into coordinate data (control
point data) in an outline format in step (11), as shown in FIG. 3.
It is then checked in step (12) if the converted data is straight data. If
N (NO) in step (12), it is determined that the converted data is curve
data, and the curve data is interpolated by a predetermined curve
interpolation method in step (13). In step (14), dots are written.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (12) that the converted data
is straight data, dots are written in step (15). It is then checked in
step (16) if dots for one outline of the object stroke data have already
been written. If N in step (16), the flow returns to step (12); otherwise,
the flow advances to step (17) to test if this stroke satisfies a cache
condition. The test process will be described later with reference to
FIGS. 4 and 5.
If it is determined in step (17) that the cache condition is satisfied, the
flow advances to step (18) to cache the stroke data. The flow then
advances to step (19), and the generated outline coordinate data of the
object stroke or the outline coordinate data retrieved in step (8) is
converted into outline coordinate data corresponding to a development
position in the object character element.
The flow advances to step (20) to check if dots of all strokes constituting
the character element have already been written. If N in step (20), the
flow returns to step (7) to perform the same operation for the next object
stroke.
On the other hand, if Y (YES) in step (20), it is tested in step (21) if
this character element satisfies a cache condition, as in step (17). If Y
in step (21), the flow advances to step (22) to cache data.
The flow advances to step (23), and the generated outline coordinate data
of the object character element or the outline coordinate data retrieved
in step (5) is converted into outline coordinate data corresponding to a
development position in the object character. In step (24), it is checked
if dots of all character elements constituting the character have already
been written. If N in step (24), the flow returns to step (4) to perform
the same operation for the next object character element.
On the other hand, if Y in step (24), it is tested in step (25) if this
character satisfies a cache condition, as in steps (17) and (21).
If Y in step (25), the flow advances to step (26) to cache data. The
generated bit map for one character or outline coordinate data got in step
(2) is painted in step (27) to complete pattern generation.
A character pattern generated based on the above-mentioned flow chart is
printed or displayed by the printer apparatus 7 or the display apparatus
9.
The cache condition test process in step (17), (21), and (25) in FIG. 2
will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 and FIGS. 6A to
6C.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the cache condition test
process in the character pattern generation process shown in FIG. 2. Note
that (1), (2), and (3) indicate steps.
In step (1), main ID data of an object stroke is checked. The flow advances
to step (2) to check if the cache buffer corresponding to the main ID data
checked in step (1) is still available. If N in step (2), it is checked in
step (3) if the priority of the object stroke is higher than that of data
already stored in the cache buffer. If data with priority lower than that
of data of the object stroke is not stored in the cache buffer, the object
stroke is not cached. However, if at least one item of data with priority
lower than that of data of the object stroke is stored in the cache
buffer, the data with lowest priority of the stored data is deleted from
the cache buffer, and the data of the object stroke is stored in the cache
buffer.
Note that the main ID data in this embodiment indicates basic types of
strokes such as a horizontal bar, vertical bar, right slant stroke, left
slant stroke, dot, hook stroke, and the like. A sub-ID data is an ID
assigned to distinguish data having the same main ID but different angles
or length from one another.
Note that data of a character element is cached based on main ID data in
this embodiment. However, data of a character element may be cached in the
same manner as a stroke as long as the cache capacity allows.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the cache condition test
process sequence in the character pattern generation process shown in FIG.
2. Note that (1) and (2) indicate steps. FIGS. 6A to 6C show the states of
the cache buffer on the RAM 2 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6A shows the state of
a stroke cache buffer, FIG. 6C shows the state of a character cache
buffer, and FIG. 6B shows the state of a character element cache buffer.
In step (1), it is checked if the buffer for storing cached character or
character element data is already full of data.
If the buffer is already full of data, it is checked in step (2) if the
priority of an object character or character element is higher than that
of data stored in the cache buffer.
If data with priority lower than that of the object character or character
element is not stored in the cache buffer, the object character or
character element is not cached.
However, if at least one data with priority lower than that of the object
character or character element is stored in the cache buffer, data with
lowest priority in the cache buffer is deleted from the cache buffer, and
the data of the object character or character element is stored in the
cache buffer.
With this process, in the state of the character cache buffer shown in FIG.
6C, upon process of an object character "" with priority "25", in step
(17), a character "" with priority "34" determined to be lower than that
of the object character in step (2) shown in FIG. 5 is deleted, and the
object character "" with priority "25" is registered at a corresponding
priority position.
Similarly, in the state of the character element cache buffer shown in FIG.
6B, upon process of an object character element B1 with priority "5", in
step (17), a character element B2 with priority "23" determined to be
lower than that of the object character element in step (2) shown in FIG.
5 is deleted, and the object character element B1 with priority "5" is
registered at a corresponding priority position.
In the above embodiment, outline coordinate data of strokes and character
elements are cached. However, in a sequence to be described below, not
only outline coordinate data but also an offset value to be added upon
development in the above embodiment are cached.
More specifically, when caching is controlled to also cache position
information indicating the development position of a stroke in a
corresponding character element or the development position of a character
element in a corresponding character, a process for shifting developed
cached data by an offset value can be omitted, and the character pattern
generation process can be executed at higher speed. This process will be
described in detail below with reference to flow charts shown in FIGS. 7A
and 7B.
FIGS. 7A and 7B show flow charts for explaining a second character pattern
generation process sequence in the character pattern generation apparatus
according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that (1)
to (27) indicate steps.
Note that steps (1) to (16) are the same as those in FIG. 2 showing the
above embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
More specifically, it is checked if outline coordinate data corresponding
to an input character has been cached. If the coordinate data has been
cached, the cached data is used; otherwise, it is checked if outline
coordinate data corresponding to one of character elements constituting
the character has been cached.
If outline coordinate data corresponding to one of character elements
constituting the character has been cached, the cached data is used;
otherwise, it is checked if outline coordinate data corresponding to one
of strokes constituting one of the character elements has been cached. If
the outline coordinate data has been cached, the cached data is used;
otherwise, data of the corresponding stroke is got to generate outline
coordinate data.
In step (17), an offset amount to the development position of the stroke in
an object character element is added to the outline coordinate data of the
stroke generated as described above. In step (18), it is checked if the
data is to be cached in the same manner as in the above embodiment. If
data is to be cached, the data is cached in step (19).
In this manner, if it is determined in step (20) that one character element
is generated, an offset amount to the development position of the
character element in an object character is added to data of the generated
character element in step (21). It is checked in step (22) if the data is
to be cached. If the data is to be cached, the flow advances to step (23)
to cache the data. The processes in step (24) and subsequent steps are the
same as those in step (24) and subsequent steps in the above embodiment.
In the above embodiment, the cache buffers are assured on the RAM 2 shown
in FIG. 1. However, in a sequence to be described below, the cache buffers
may be assured on the external storage device 11 such as a hard disk or a
floppy disk to process data, as shown in flow charts in FIGS. 8A and 8B.
FIGS. 8A and 8B show flow charts of a third character pattern generation
process sequence in the character pattern generation apparatus according
to the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that (1) to (27)
indicate steps.
In step (1), when data of an object character to be developed is retrieved,
it is checked by confirming the cache buffer based on ID data if the data
has already been cached as a character. If corresponding character data is
stored in the cache buffer, the flow advances to step (2), bit map data is
retrieved from the cache buffer on the external storage device 11 shown in
FIG. 1, and the flow jumps to step (27), thus ending the generation
process of the object character.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) if corresponding
character data is not stored in the cache buffer, the flow advances to
step (3) to get data of the number of character elements constituting the
character and their types.
The flow advances to step (4) to check by confirming the cache buffer based
on ID data if data of an object character element has already been cached.
At this time, an object character element is selected from those
constituting a character in an order of making strokes in this sequence.
However, the present invention is not limited to this order.
If corresponding character element data is stored in the cache buffer, the
flow advances to step (5) to get bit map data from the cache buffer on the
external storage device 11 shown in FIG. 1. Thereafter, the flow jumps to
step (24).
If it is determined in step (4) that corresponding character element data
is not stored in the cache buffer, the flow advances to step (6) to get
data of the number of strokes constituting the object character element
and their types. The flow then advances to step (7) to check by confirming
the cache buffer based on ID data if data of an object stroke has already
been cached.
At this time, an object stroke is selected from those constituting the
character element in an order of making strokes in this sequence. However,
the present invention is not limited to this order.
If corresponding stroke data is stored in the cache buffer, the flow
advances to step (8) to get bit map data from the cache buffer on the
external storage device 11 shown in FIG. 1. Thereafter, the flow jumps to
step (20). However, if it is determined in step (7) that corresponding
stroke data is not stored in the cache buffer, the flow advances to step
(9) to get coordinate data in the stroke format of the object stroke.
The flow advances to step (10) to perform coordinate conversion of the got
coordinate data upon enlargement/reduction of the data.
Since the coordinate data in the stroke format is information defined by
"core line"+"thickness", it is converted into coordinate data (control
point data) in an outline format in step (11), as shown in FIG. 3. It is
then checked in step (12) if the converted data is straight data. If N in
step (12), it is determined that the converted data is curve data, and the
curve data is interpolated by a predetermined curve interpolation method
in step (13). In step (14), dots are written.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (12) that the converted data
is straight data, dots are written in step (15). It is then checked in
step (16) if dots for one outline of the object stroke data have already
been written. If N in step (16), the flow returns to step (12); otherwise,
the flow advances to step (17) to paint the object stroke.
The flow then advances to step (18) to test if this stroke satisfies the
cache condition, as described above.
It is checked in step (2) (FIG. 4) or (1) (FIG. 5) if the buffer for
storing cached characters, character elements, or strokes is full of data.
If the buffer is already full of data, it is checked in step (3) (FIG. 4)
or (2) (FIG. 5) if the priority of data of the object character, character
element, or stroke is higher than that of data stored in the cache buffer.
If data with priority lower than that of data of the object character,
character element, or stroke is not stored in the cache buffer, the object
character, character element, or stroke is not cached.
However, if at least one data with priority lower than that of data of the
object character, character element, or stroke is stored in the cache
buffer, data with lowest priority is deleted from the cache buffer, and
the data of the object character, character element, or stroke is stored
in the cache buffer.
If it is determined in step (18) that the cache condition is satisfied, the
flow advances to step (19) to cache data. The flow then advances to step
(20), and the generated bit map data of the object stroke or the bit map
data got in step (8) is converted into bit map data at a development
position in an object character element. The flow advances to step (21) to
check if bit map generation and synthesis of all strokes constituting the
object character element have been completed.
If N in step (21), the flow returns to step (7) to perform the same
operation for the next object stroke. However, if Y in step (21), it is
checked in step (22) if this character element satisfies the cache
condition, as in step (18). If Y in step (22), the flow advances to step
(23) to cache data.
The flow advances to step (24), and the generated bit map data of the
object character element or the bit map data got in step (5) is converted
into bit map data at a development position in an object character.
It is then checked in step (25) if bit map generation and synthesis of all
character elements constituting a character have been completed. If N in
step (25), the flow returns to step (4) to perform the same operation for
the next object character element. However, if Y in step (25), it is
checked in step (26) if this character satisfies the cache condition, as
in steps (18) and (22). If Y in step (26), the flow advances to step (27)
to cache data. In this manner, pattern generation of the object character
is completed.
In the above sequence, the bit map data of strokes and character elements
are cached in the external storage device 11. Not only bit map data but
also an offset value to be added upon development may be cached together.
More specifically, caching may be controlled to also cache position
information indicating the development position of a stroke in a
corresponding character element or the development position of a character
element in a corresponding character, and a process for shifting data by
an offset after development of cached data may be omitted (as will be
described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B).
FIGS. 9A and 9B show flow charts showing a fourth character pattern
generation process sequence in the character pattern generation apparatus
according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that (1)
to (27) indicate steps. Since the processes up to step (17) in FIG. 9B are
the same as those up to step (17) in FIG. 8B showing the above sequence, a
detailed description thereof will be omitted.
In the process of this sequence, it is checked if an input character has
been cached. If the character has been cached, the cached data is used;
otherwise, it is checked if one of the character elements constituting the
character has been cached. If one of the character elements constituting
the character has been cached, the cached data is used; otherwise, it is
checked if one of the strokes constituting one of the character elements
has been cached. If one of the strokes constituting one of the character
elements has been cached, the cached data is used; otherwise, data of an
object stroke is got to generate bit map data.
In step (18), an offset amount to the development position of the stroke in
an object character element is added to the generated bit map data of the
stroke. In step (19), it is checked if data is to be cached, as in the
above embodiment. If Y in step (19), the data is cached in step (20).
In this manner, if it is determined in step (21) that one character element
is generated, an offset amount to the development position of the
character element in an object character is added to the bit map data of
the character element in step (22).
It is then checked in step (23) if data is to be cached. If Y In step (23),
the flow advances to step (24) to cache the data. Since the processes in
step (25) and subsequent steps are the same as those in step (25) and
subsequent steps in FIG. 8, a detailed description thereof will be
omitted.
›Second Embodiment!
The second embodiment will be described below. Note that the arrangement of
the apparatus of this embodiment is the same as that in the first
embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a character
pattern generation apparatus according to the second embodiment of the
present invention.
Referring to FIG. 10, a flag maker 20 sets a plurality of process selection
flags based on a process selected by an operator using the KB 5 (FIG. 1),
and registers the flags in correspondence with ID data, so that processes
prepared in the character pattern generation apparatus can be
automatically selected. With this process, by designating an ID, a
required one of a plurality of processes can be reliably selected. In this
embodiment, character data are stored in various font data formats such as
outline and stroke formats as pattern generation methods of the character
data, and in bezier and spline formats as curve generation methods of the
character data. A required pattern generation method is selected from an
outline generator 21 on the basis of the flag made by the flag maker 20 in
correspondence with each character to be subjected to pattern generation.
In the character pattern generation apparatus with the above arrangement,
the CPU 1 analyzes input character information, and makes a flag for
selecting character pattern process resources to be utilized for
generating a character pattern on the RAM 2, as will be described later.
Then, a character pattern process (means to be executed by the CPU 1 in
accordance with a sequence shown in the flow chart to be described later)
selects different character pattern process resources on the basis of the
made flag so as to generate a character pattern. In this manner, different
character pattern generation processes are reliably performed by commonly
using a plurality of character pattern process resources of the character
pattern generation apparatus.
A character pattern is generated by selecting different character pattern
process resources by the character pattern generation processing method on
the basis of the made flag from character pattern process resources which
include the outline generator 21 which comprises a plurality of font
generation methods for processing character pattern generation in a stroke
or outline format (these methods are executed by the CPU 1 in accordance
with font data stored in the ROM 3; two types of font data, i.e., stroke
and outline font data are prepared in this embodiment), a hinting section
22 which comprises a plurality of hinting processes for performing
coordinate conversion for improving the quality of characters, an
interpolation section 23 which has a plurality of interpolation processes
for generating curves to form an outline pattern of a closed region, and a
painting section 24 having a plurality of painting processes for painting
the generated closed region to form bit map data. The generated character
pattern is printed or displayed by the printer apparatus 7 or the display
apparatus 9, thus reliably performing different character pattern
processes using a plurality of common character pattern process resources
of the character pattern generation apparatus.
As will be described below, the character pattern generation process of
this embodiment uses three process sections, i.e., the hinting section 22,
the interpolation section 23, and the painting section 24. Note that each
section may comprise a logic circuit or may comprise a software
arrangement executed by the CPU 1 based on a program stored in the ROM 2.
Each section has a plurality of process methods, and one of these methods
is selected based on the flag.
The outline generator 21 generates outline data based on an outline
generation method designated by the flag maker 20, and the hinting section
22 performs a hinting process designated by the flag maker 20. The
interpolation section 23 performs interpolation using an interpolation
method designated by the flag maker 20 to generate outline coordinate
data. The painting section 24 performs painting by a method designated by
the flag maker 20.
Note that the hinting section 22 and the painting section 24 are often not
used.
FIG. 11 is a view for explaining the flag making process of the flag maker
20 shown in FIG. 10.
As shown in FIG. 11, the process selection flag has an 8-bit format, and
its contents are as follows. The first bit is an outline selection bit for
selecting a pattern generation method. The second and third bits are
hinting selection bits for selecting an optimal one of a plurality of
hinting methods prepared in advance in the hinting section 22. The fourth
and fifth bits are interpolation selection bits for selecting an optimal
one of a plurality of interpolation methods prepared in advance in the
interpolation section 23. The sixth and seventh bits are painting
selection bits for selecting an optimal one of a plurality of painting
methods prepared in advance in the painting section 24. In this
embodiment, flag information is constituted by 8 bits. However, the number
of bits may be increased to increase the number of resources, and various
modifications and combinations are available.
A case will be described below wherein the first bit, i.e., the outline
selection bit of the process selection flag shown in FIG. 11 is ON.
When this outline selection bit is ON, character pattern generation is
performed based on outline font data which expresses an outline of a
character as coordinate data, and has no crossing points of strokes, as
shown in FIG. 12A.
The process of the hinting section 22 shown in FIG. 10 will be described
below with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 13.
FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining the process operation of the hinting
section 22 shown in FIG. 10. Note that (1) to (6) indicate steps.
In step (1), it is checked if the second bit of the process selection flag
is ON. If Y in step (1), the flow advances to step (2) to check the third
bit of the process selection flag in turn. If the third bit is ON, the
flow advances to step (4) to perform a hinting process A as the process of
the hinting section; otherwise, the flow advances to step (5) to perform a
hinting process B. On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that
the second bit of the process selection flag is not ON, the flow advances
to step (3) to check the third bit of the process selection flag.
If the third bit of the process selection flag is ON, the flow advances to
step (6) to execute a hinting process C as the process of the hinting
section; otherwise, the hinting section 22 does not perform any hinting
process.
The process operation of the interpolation section 23 shown in FIG. 10 will
be described below with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 14.
FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining the process operation of the
interpolation section 23 shown in FIG. 10. Note that (1) to (7) indicate
steps.
It is checked in step (1) if the fourth bit of the process selection flag
is ON. If Y In step (1), the flow advances to step (2) to check the fifth
bit of the process selection flag in turn.
If the fifth bit is ON, the flow advances to step (4) to perform
interpolation by 2nd-order B-spline as the process of the interpolation
section 23; otherwise, the flow advances to step (5) to perform
interpolation by 3rd-order B-spline.
If it is determined in step (1) that the fourth bit of the process
selection flag is not ON, the flow advances to step (3) to check the fifth
bit of the process selection flag. If the fifth bit of the process
selection flag is ON, the flow advances to step (6) to perform
interpolation by 2nd-order Bezier as the process of the interpolation
section 23; otherwise, the flow advances to step (7) to perform
interpolation by 3rd-order Bezier.
The interpolation methods prepared in the interpolation section 23 are
3rd-order Bezier, 2nd-order Bezier, 3rd-order B-spline, and 2nd-order
B-spline, as described above, and are shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.
FIGS. 15 and 16 are views for explaining the interpolation methods of the
interpolation section 23 shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 15 corresponds to the
3rd-order Bezier interpolation process, and FIG. 16 corresponds to the
2nd-order Bezier interpolation process.
As shown in FIG. 15, middle points a, f, and e of line segments AB, BC, and
CD are calculated in association with control points A, B, C, and D for
generating one curve. For the currently calculated three points a, f, and
e, middle points b and d of line segments af and fe, and a middle point c
of a line segment bd are calculated. Of these calculated points, the
points A, a, b, and c express a new curve F(0), and the points c, d, e,
and D express a new curve F(1). By repeating this operation until a
predetermined value is obtained, coordinate data representing one curve is
generated.
The 2nd-order Bezier interpolation shown in FIG. 16 constitutes a curve by
three points, while the 3rd-order Bezier interpolation constitutes a curve
by four points. Then, middle points a and c of line segments AB and BC are
calculated for control points A, B, and C, and a middle point of a line
segment ac is calculated. Of the calculated points, the points A, a, and b
constitute a curve F(0), and the points b, c, and C constitute a curve. By
repeating this operation until a predetermined value is obtained,
coordinate data representing one curve is generated.
In the B-spline interpolation, a curve is divided into a predetermined
number of sections, and curves are generated based on a 2nd- or 3rd-order
function unlike in bezier curve interpolation.
How to generate outline coordinate will be described below with reference
to the flow chart shown in FIG. 17.
FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing an example of an outline process sequence
using the interpolation section 23 shown in FIG. 10. Note that (1) to (4)
indicate steps.
In step (1), it is checked if got outline control points constitute a
straight line. If Y in step (1), the flow advances to step (2) to generate
straight data. If N in step (1), the flow advances to step (3), and curve
data is generated by performing interpolation by a predetermined
interpolation method selected in the process sequence shown in FIG. 14
based on the flag maker 20. After straight or curve data is generated in
step (2) or (3), the flow advances to step (4) to check if coordinate data
for one outline has been generated. If N in step (4), the flow returns to
step (1).
On the other hand, if Y in step (4), the process of the interpolation
section ends.
The process operation of the painting section 24 shown in FIG. 10 will be
described below with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 18.
FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing an example of the painting process sequence
of the painting section 24 shown in FIG. 10. Note that (1) to (4) indicate
steps.
It is checked in step (1) if the sixth bit (see FIG. 11) of the process
selection flag is ON. If Y in step (1), the flow advances to step (2) to
check the seventh bit of the process selection flag. If the seventh bit is
ON, the flow advances to step (3) to perform a painting process by non
zero winding (to be described in detail later) as the process of the
painting section 24.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the seventh bit is
not ON, the flow advances to step (4) to perform a paint processing by
even odd (to be described in detail later).
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that the sixth bit of
the process selection flag is not ON, the painting section 24 does not
perform any painting process. With a series of operations described above,
character generation based on one outline data is completed.
A case will be explained below wherein the first bit of the process
selection flag is not ON.
When the first bit of the process selection flag is not ON, patterns are
generated in units of strokes, as shown in FIG. 12B, and are synthesized
to generate a character. That is, character pattern generation by stroke
synthesis is performed. The character pattern generation order by stroke
synthesis follows the sequence shown in FIG. 19.
FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing an example of a second character pattern
generation process sequence in the character pattern generation apparatus
according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that (1)
to (4), (2-1), (2-2), (3-1), (3-2), (4-1), and (4-2) indicate steps.
In this case, since the functions and processes of the respective sections
are substantially the same as those in character generation based on
outline data, only different portions will be explained below.
First, data to be got is different. In the case of stroke synthesis, the
total number of strokes constituting a character, and constituting points,
positions, and size of each stroke are got.
The hinting section 22 performs the process based on FIG. 13, and the
interpolation section 23 performs the process based on FIGS. 14 and 17.
The processes in these sections are looped in correspondence with the
number of strokes constituting an object character in steps (2-1), (2-2),
(3-1), and (3-2), thus completing operations for all strokes in a single
data transfer operation.
The process in the hinting section 22 is achieved by the same method as in
the process method for one outline data. In the process of the
interpolation section 23, each time coordinate data for one stroke is
generated, the generated coordinate data is synthesized on a single table.
In step (4), the painting section 24 performs the painting process
according to the flow chart shown in FIG. 20.
FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing an example of the detailed sequence of the
painting process shown in FIG. 19. Note that (1) and (2) indicate steps.
In step (1), the sixth bit of the process selection flag is checked. If the
sixth bit is ON, the flow advances to step (2), and a painting process by
non zero winding is performed as the process of the painting section 24.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that the sixth bit is
not ON, the painting section 24 does not perform any painting process.
FIGS. 21A to 22 are views for explaining the painting methods in the
character pattern generation apparatus according to the present invention.
As shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, upon painting of patterns whose outlines
cross like in stroke synthesis, if painting based on the even odd method
is performed, a portion which is not painted may be generated. Since the
even odd painting method horizontally checks bits in the X-axis direction,
and turns on all bits between the first ON bit (value=1) and the next ON
bit, if strokes overlap each other, a non-painted portion is generated, as
shown in FIG. 21A. In the case of painting based on the non zero winding
method, as shown in FIG. 21B, each of points (bits) constituting an
outline is assigned with an attribute indicating whether the bit
constitutes an upward or downward line. When the bit constitutes an upward
line, the attribute is set to be 1; when the bit constitutes a downward
line, the attribute is set to be -1. As in the even odd method, bits are
checked in a direction parallel to the X-axis, and if an ON bit is
detected, an attribute value is added. Bits are successively turned on as
long as the sum value is not zero, thus attaining painting.
As shown in FIG. 22, upon painting of patterns whose outlines cross like in
stroke synthesis, if painting based on the even odd method is performed, a
portion which is not painted (non-painted portion HP) may be generated.
For this reason, in the case of stroke synthesis, an available painting
method is only the non zero winding method.
In the painting process of this embodiment, painting in stroke synthesis is
performed by only the non zero winding method. A process which allows
painting even by the even odd method will be explained below. Note that
although the apparatus arrangement and the character pattern generation
method based on outline font are the same as those in the above
embodiment, a painting method in the character pattern generation method
based on stroke synthesis is changed as follows.
In the second embodiment, the processes of all the strokes in both the
hinting section 22 and the interpolation section 23 are completed in a
single data transfer operation. However, in this case, the hinting section
22, the interpolation section 23, and the painting section 24 perform
processes for one stroke in a single transfer operation. More
specifically, at the time of completion of a single process of the
painting section 24, bit map data of one stroke which has been painted is
obtained. Another painting process will be described below with reference
to FIGS. 23, 24, and 25.
FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing an example of another character pattern
generation sequence in the character pattern generation apparatus
according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (5) indicate steps.
FIG. 24 is a view showing another character pattern generation state in the
character pattern generation apparatus according to the present invention.
Note that (1) to (7) indicate painting steps. FIG. 25 is a table for
explaining the correspondence between strokes and character elements of
character patterns in the character pattern generation apparatus according
to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 23, each time a painting process is completed in steps (1)
to (5), it is checked if the processes are completed for all strokes
constituting a character. If the processes are not completed, the process
for the next stroke is repetitively performed.
A character generation process will be described below, taking "" as an
example. In the first process, a horizontal line pattern is generated, as
shown in step (1). In step (2), a vertical line pattern as the next stroke
is generated. In step (3), the vertical line pattern is synthesized with
the horizontal line pattern generated in step (1).
In step (4), a left slant stroke pattern as the next stroke is generated.
In step (5), the left slant stroke pattern is synthesized with the pattern
generated in step (3). In step (6), a right slant stroke pattern as the
next stroke is generated. In step (7), the right slant stroke pattern is
synthesized with the pattern generated in step (5), thus generating a
character pattern "". According to the process of the painting section in
this method, painting can be performed by the two methods, i.e., non-zero
winding and even-odd methods as in the case of outline font data.
›Another Embodiment!
In the first and second character pattern generation sequences of the first
embodiment, a case has been exemplified wherein outline coordinate data
expressed by X- and Y-coordinates is cached, and in the third and fourth
character pattern generation sequences of the first embodiment, a case has
been exemplified wherein bit map data is cached. In this embodiment, a
case will be exemplified wherein control point data is cached. FIGS. 26A
and 26B show flow charts of a fifth character pattern generation process
in the first embodiment. In step (1), it is checked by confirming the
cache buffer based on ID data if coordinate data (control point data) in
the outline format of a got object character to be developed has already
been cached as a character. If corresponding character data is stored in
the cache buffer, it is recognized that the data has already been cached,
and the flow advances to step (2) to get coordinate data (control point
data) in the outline format of an object character by stroke synthesis
from the cache buffer. Thereafter, the flow advances to the entrance of
step (22). If it is determined in step (1) that corresponding character
data is not stored in the cache buffer, it is recognized that the data is
not cached yet, and the flow advances to step (3) to get data of the
number of character elements constituting the character and their types.
The flow advances to step (4) to check by confirming the cache buffer
based on ID data if coordinate data (control point data) in the outline
format of an object character element of the character elements has
already been cached. An object character element is selected from those
constituting a character in an order of making strokes in this sequence.
However, the present invention is not limited to this order. If
corresponding character element data is stored in the cache buffer, it is
recognized that the data has already been cached, and the flow advances to
step (5) to get coordinate data (control point data) in the outline format
of the object character element by stroke synthesis from the cache buffer.
Thereafter, the flow advances to the entrance of step (18). If it is
determined in step (4) that corresponding character element data is not
stored in the cache buffer, it is recognized that the data is not cached
yet, and the flow advances to step (6) to get data of the number of
strokes constituting the object character element and their types. The
flow then advances to step (7), and it is checked by confirming the cache
buffer based on ID data if coordinate data (control point data) in the
outline format of an object stroke has already been cached. At this time,
an object stroke is selected from those constituting the character element
in an order of making strokes in this sequence. However, the present
invention is not limited to this order. If corresponding stroke data is
stored in the cache buffer, it is recognized that the data has already
been cached, and the flow advances to step (8) to get control point data
of the object stroke from the cache buffer. Thereafter, the flow advances
to the entrance of step (14). If it is determined in step (7) that
corresponding stroke data is not stored in the cache buffer, it is
recognized that the data is not cached yet, and the flow advances to step
(9) to get coordinate data (control point data) in a stroke format of the
object stroke. The flow then advances to step (10) to perform coordinate
conversion of the got coordinate data (control point data) in the stroke
format upon enlargement/reduction. Since the coordinate data in the stroke
format is information defined by "core line"+"thickness", it is converted
into coordinate data (control point data) in the outline format in step
(11), as shown in FIG. 3. The flow then advances to step (12) to check if
this stroke satisfies the cache condition. The cache condition test flow
is shown in FIG. 4, and the cache buffer state at that time is shown in
FIGS. 6A to 6C.
Referring back to FIG. 26, if it is determined in step (12) that the cache
condition is satisfied, the flow advances to step (13) to cache data. The
flow then advances to step (14), and the generated coordinate data
(control point data) in the outline format of the object stroke or the
coordinate data (control point data) in the outline format got in step (8)
is shifted to the development position in an object character element. The
flow advances to step (15) to check if the above-mentioned operation has
been completed for all strokes constituting the object character element.
If N in step (15), the flow returns to the entrance of step (7) to perform
the same operation for the next object stroke. However, if Y in step (15),
the flow advances to step (16) to check if this stroke satisfies the cache
condition. The cache condition test flow is shown in FIG. 5, and the cache
buffer state at that time is shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C. In step (1) in FIG.
5, it is checked if the buffer for storing the cached characters or
character elements is already full of data. If the buffer is full of data,
it is checked in step (2) in FIG. 5 if the priority of an object character
or character element is higher than that of data stored in the cache
buffer. If data with priority lower than that of the object character or
character element is not stored in the cache buffer, the object character
or character element is not cached. However, if at least one data with
priority lower than that of the object character or character element is
stored in the cache buffer, data with the lowest priority is deleted from
the cache buffer, and the data of the object character or character
element is stored in the cache buffer. Referring back to FIG. 26B, if the
cache condition is satisfied, the flow advances to step (17) to cache
data. The flow then advances to step (18), and the generated coordinate
data (control point data) in the outline format by stroke synthesis or the
coordinate data (control point data) in the outline format got in step (5)
is shifted to the development position in an object character. In step
(19), it is checked if the above-mentioned operation has been completed
for all character elements constituting the character. If N in step (19),
the flow returns to the entrance of step (4) to perform the same operation
for the next object character element. However, if Y in step (19), it is
checked in step (20) if this character satisfies the cache condition, as
in step (16). If the cache condition is satisfied, the flow advances to
step (21) to cache data. The flow then advances to step (22) to check if
control point data is straight data, so as to interpolate an object
stroke. If control point data is not straight data, curve data is
determined, and interpolation is performed by a predetermined curve
interpolation method in step (23). Thereafter, dots are written in step
(24). If it is determined in step (22) that control point data is straight
data, dots are written in step (25). It is then checked in step (26) if
all dots for one outline of data of the object stroke have been written.
If N in step (26), the flow returns to the entrance of step (22);
otherwise, the flow advances to step (27) to check if the interpolation
process has been completed for all strokes constituting the character. If
N in step (27), the flow returns to the entrance of step (22); otherwise,
the flow advances to step (28) to perform painting.
In the fifth character pattern generation sequence of the first embodiment,
coordinate data (control point data) in the outline format of a character,
stroke, and character element are cached. However, in a sequence to be
described below, not only coordinate data (control point data) in the
outline format but also an offset value to be added upon development in
the above sequence are cached. More specifically, caching is performed to
also cache position information indicating the development position of a
stroke in a corresponding character element or the development position of
a character element in a corresponding character, and a process for
shifting data by an offset after development of cache data is not required
unlike in the above sequence. FIGS. 27A and 27B show flow charts showing
the process of this embodiment. The processes up to step (11) are the same
as those up to step (11) in FIG. 26A showing the above sequence. More
specifically, it is checked if coordinate data (control point data) in the
outline format corresponding to a character has already been cached. If
data has already been cached, the cached data is used; otherwise, it is
checked based on ID data if coordinate data (control point data) in the
outline format corresponding to one of character elements constituting the
character has already been cached. If the data of one of the character
elements constituting the character has already been cached, the cached
data is used; otherwise, it is checked based on ID data if coordinate data
(control point data) in the outline format corresponding to one of strokes
constituting the character element has already been cached. If the data
has already been cached, the cached data is used; otherwise, coordinate
data (control point data) in a stroke format of the stroke is got to
generate coordinate data (control point data) in the outline format. In
step (12), an offset value to the development position of the stroke in an
object character element is added to the generated coordinate data in the
outline format of the stroke. In step (13), it is checked if data is to be
cached, as in the above sequence. If data is to be cached, the data is
cached in step (14). It is then checked in step (15) if the
above-mentioned operation has been completed for all the strokes
constituting the character element. If N in step (15), the flow returns to
step (7); otherwise, the flow advances to step (16), and an offset amount
to the development position of the character element in the object
character is added. Then, it is checked in step (17) if data is to be
cached. If data is to be cached, the flow advances to step (18) to cache
data. The processes in step (19) and subsequent steps are the same as
those in step (19) and subsequent steps in the fifth character pattern
generation process of the first embodiment.
FIGS. 28A and 28B show flow charts showing a seventh character pattern
generation sequence of the first embodiment. In step (1), data of an
object character to be developed is got, and it is checked by confirming
the cache buffer based on ID data if bit map data corresponding to the got
character has already been cached. If corresponding character data is
stored in the cache buffer, the flow advances to step (2) to get bit map
data from the cache buffer. The flow then advances to the exit of step
(25), thus ending generation of the object character. However, if it is
determined in step (1) that corresponding character data is not stored in
the cache buffer, the flow advances to step (3) to get data of the number
of character elements constituting the character and their types. The flow
advances to step (4) to check by confirming the cache buffer based on ID
data if bit map data corresponding to an object character element has
already been cached. At this time, an object character element is selected
from those constituting a character in an order of making strokes in this
sequence. However, the present invention is not limited to this order. If
corresponding character element data is stored in the cache buffer, the
flow advances to step (5) to get bit map data from the cache buffer, and
thereafter, the flow advances to the entrance of step (24). However, if it
is determined in step (4) that corresponding character element data is not
stored in the cache buffer, the flow advances to step (6) to get data of
the number of strokes constituting the object character element and their
types. The flow then advances to step (7) to check by confirming the cache
buffer based on ID data if bit map data corresponding to the object stroke
has already been cached. At this time, an object stroke is selected from
those constituting the character element in an order of making strokes in
this sequence. However, the present invention is not limited to this
order. If corresponding stroke data is stored in the cache buffer, the
flow advances to step (8) to get bit map data from the cache buffer, and
thereafter, the flow advances to the entrance of step (21). If it is
determined in step (7) that corresponding stroke data is not stored in the
cache buffer, the flow advances to step (9) to get coordinate data in a
stroke format of the object stroke. The flow advances to step (10) to
perform coordinate conversion of the got coordinate data in the stroke
format upon enlargement/reduction. Since the coordinate data in the stroke
format is information defined by "core line"+"thickness", it is converted
into coordinate data (Control point data) in the outline format in step
(11), as shown in FIG. 3. In step (12), the coordinate data corresponding
to the stroke is shifted to the development position in the object
character element. The flow advances to step (13) to check if the
coordinate data is straight data. If the coordinate data is not straight
data, curve data is determined, and interpolation is performed by a
predetermined interpolation method in step (14). Thereafter, dots are
written in step (15). However, if it is determined in step (13) that the
coordinate data is straight data, dots are written in step (16). It is
then checked in step (17) if all dots for one outline of outline
coordinate data of the object stroke have been written. If N in step (17),
the flow returns to the entrance of step (13); otherwise, the flow
advances to step (18) to perform painting based on the outline coordinate
data of the object stroke. The flow then advances to step (19) to check if
this stroke satisfies the cache condition. The cache condition test flow
is shown in FIG. 4, and the cache buffer state at that time is shown in
FIGS. 6A to 6C.
Referring back to FIG. 28B, if it is determined in step (19) that the cache
condition is satisfied, the flow advances to step (20) to cache data. The
flow advances to step (21) to check if bit map generation and synthesis of
all strokes constituting the object character element have been completed.
If N in step (21), the flow returns to the entrance of step (7) to perform
the same operation for the next object stroke. However, if Y in step (21),
the flow advances to step (22) to check if this character element
satisfies the cache condition. The cache condition test flow is shown in
FIG. 5, and the cache buffer state at that time is shown in FIGS. 6A to
6C. In step (1) in FIG. 5, it is checked if the buffer for storing the
cached characters or character elements is already full of data. If the
buffer is full of data, it is checked in step (2) in FIG. 5 if the
priority of an object character or character element is higher than that
of data stored in the cache buffer. If data with priority lower than that
of the object character or character element is not stored in the cache
buffer, the object character or character element is not cached. However,
if at least one data with priority lower than that of the object character
or character element is stored in the cache buffer, data with the lowest
priority is deleted from the cache buffer, and the data of the object
character or character element is stored in the cache buffer. Referring
back to FIG. 28B, if it is determined in step (22) that the cache
condition is satisfied, the flow advances to step (23) to cache data. It
is then checked in step (24) if bit map generation and synthesis of all
character elements constituting a character have been completed. If N in
step (24), the flow returns to the entrance of step (4) to perform the
same operation for the next character element. However, if Y in step (24),
it is checked in step (25) if this character satisfies the cache
condition, as in step (22). If the cache condition is satisfied, the flow
advances to step (26) to cache data. In this manner, pattern generation of
the object character ends.
A control sequence which can automatically switch the first to seventh
character pattern generation processes described in the first embodiment
in accordance with the memory capacity (memory environment) will be
described below with reference to FIG. 29.
Whether the hard disk as an external storage device or the internal RAM is
used as a storage device for caching is determined by discriminating in
step (1) in FIG. 29 by checking the RAM capacity which can be used for
caching in a system used if the capacity is sufficient for bit map
caching. If Y in step (1), the flow advances to step (2), and bit map
caching in units of strokes using the RAM is performed. However, if N in
step (1), the flow advances to step (3), and it is checked if a hard disk
is (can be) used as a system component. If Y in step (3), the flow
advances to step (4), and bit map caching using the hard disk is
performed. When a hard disk is not used (or cannot be used), the flow
advances to step (5), and caching is performed in units of outline
coordinate data or control point data using the RAM.
The caching in units of outline coordinate data or control point data using
the RAM in step (5) may be performed as follows. If the RAM capacity is
larger than a predetermined amount, caching may be performed in units of
outline coordinate data; otherwise, caching may be performed in units of
control point data. Alternatively, the bit map format, the outline
coordinate format, or the control point format may be designated by a user
by a command.
Note that determination in step (3) as to whether or not a hard disk is
used is set by a user in accordance with the access time to the hard disk
and the pattern development processing time (or automatically set by a
system by calculations).
According to the above embodiments, by caching characters, character
elements, and strokes, the number of processes for developing identical
strokes, character elements, or characters upon generation of a large
number of characters in document creation by stroke synthesis can be
remarkably reduced.
When a plurality of character pattern process resources are prepared in
advance in each apparatus, extra processes such as alteration or formation
of the apparatus itself due to a difference in data or a change in process
method can be eliminated, and character pattern generation can be
efficiently performed.
Note that the present invention may be applied to either a system
constituted by a plurality of equipments or an apparatus consisting of a
single equipment. Also, the present invention may be applied to a case
wherein the invention is achieved by supplying a program to the system or
apparatus.
As described above, according to the present invention, since the cache
means caches generated stroke, character element, and pattern data in the
storage device, and a character pattern is generated by synthesizing the
cached stroke, character element, and pattern data, the generation
frequencies of strokes, character elements, and patterns with high use
frequencies can be remarkably decreased, and character patterns can be
efficiently generated.
According to the present invention, since the information generation means
analyzes input character information and generates a flag for selecting
character pattern process resources to be utilized for generating a
character pattern, and the character pattern process means selects
different character pattern process resources based on the generated flag
to generate a character pattern, different character pattern processes can
be performed by commonly using character pattern process resources which
do not depend on input character information.
According to the present invention, a character pattern is generated by
selecting different character pattern resources in the character pattern
processing sequence on the basis of the generated flag from character
pattern process resources, which include a plurality of font process
sections for processing character pattern generation in units of strokes
or outlines, a plurality of hinting sections for performing coordinate
conversion for improving quality of a character by a method determined by
the flag, a plurality of interpolation sections for generating a curve
based on a curve characteristic determined by the flag, and generating an
outline of a closed region, and a plurality of painting sections for
generating a bit map by painting the closed region generated by the method
determined by the flag. Therefore, different character pattern processes
can be reliably achieved using a plurality of common character pattern
process resources.
Therefore, repetition of identical jobs can be prevented, and a series of
jobs in character pattern generation can be simplified. In addition, an
extra labor due to a difference between specifications of font data and an
apparatus can be eliminated.
In addition, the cache format can be selected in correspondence with the
memory capacity.
Also, the cache format can be selected in accordance with a user's command.
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